Su Ming glanced at Kong Deming standing behind Xu Tianran and asked, "When will the war end?"
He got straight to the point.
Upon hearing this, neither Xu Tianran nor Kong Deming expected Su Ming to be so direct.
Hesitating for a moment, Xu Tianran asked, "I wonder, in what way does the war conflict with the Body Sect's development?"
His tone was quite humble.
This was reality. Su Ming's strength was overwhelming. He had already reached the Limit Douluo level over a year ago. Who knew how much he had improved in this past year?
In the Douluo 3 era, because all cultivation systems were mature, there were more benchmarks to judge Su Ming by. That's why Tang Wulin and others found it hard to believe Su Ming could make any significant progress in just a year after already possessing Limit Douluo combat power.
But Douluo 2 was different.
The technology here was too backward. The systems Su Ming brought to this era were too advanced, each time exceeding the world's expectations.
Who knew how much improvement Su Ming could achieve in a year?
Based on Su Ming's previous rate of progress, a year represented a massive leap forward. It was impossible he had remained stagnant.
This was the terror of the unknown.
For the Douluo 2 Spirit Master world, Su Ming had introduced too many previously unknown systems. Having no understanding meant having No standard for judgment.
Of course, everyone knew Su Ming faced the predicament of condensing his third Spirit Core.
But even if his spirit power didn't progress, he still possessed Limit Douluo combat power, and likely had other means to enhance his strength. Who would dare act rashly? Thus, Su Ming not only carried the terror of the unknown, but they also couldn't verify his limits.
Su Ming pondered for a moment, didn't hide anything, and stated directly, "I intend to open a planar battlefield. I will then conscript from the continent's Spirit Master world. The sooner the war ends, the better."
Planar battlefield?
Xu Tianran sucked in a cold breath.
"Are we going to wage war against another plane?"
Su Ming looked at him and nodded.
"For Douluo Star to develop, seeking resources externally is the fastest method. I have already pinpointed a plane suitable for Douluo Star."
Xu Tianran's expression became very conflicted.
He turned to exchange a look with Kong Deming, both seeing a hint of doubt and uncertainty in the other's eyes.
The Sun Moon Empire had fought consecutive major wars and was on the verge of annexing the three empires. Now, without a chance to catch their breath, they were to wage war against another plane?
Xu Tianran's heart resisted.
But he couldn't openly refute Su Ming.
Su Ming's goal was for the benefit of the Spirit Master world. If he directly objected and these words spread throughout the Spirit Master world later, who would support Xu Tianran?
This was, after all, a cultivator's world. The Spirit Master world was the true key factor dominating the rise and fall of dynasties.
Even Spirit Engineers were a branch of Spirit Masters.
Kong Deming, however, after the initial shock and uncertainty, thought for a while and asked, "For the development of the Spirit Master world... what is the specific objective?"
Su Ming glanced at the old man. "To break through the god-level restriction."
Spirit Masters could become gods!
Not as deities inheriting godhood, but as god-level Spirit Masters.
Kong Deming closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, then opened them, a brilliant light flickering within.
"Your Majesty, I believe the war should be resolved quickly. The continent's internal strife has lasted thousands of years. It indeed needs a unified transition to lead the plane forward."
Xu Tianran frowned, looking back at Kong Deming with surprise and doubt.
Surely he doesn't think he has a chance to break through to god-level?
It wasn't that Xu Tianran looked down on this pillar of the Sun Moon Royal Family. It was that Kong Deming had indeed been held back by the Spirit Engineer system. Now, in his twilight years, he was only a Super Douluo, still far, far from the Limit Douluo level, let alone god-level.
Yet, Kong Deming's gaze was firm.
Seeing this, Xu Tianran couldn't simply refuse again.
He had been struggling internally this past year, but each time he struggled, he found his position as emperor too stifling Kong Deming above him, Mingde Hall out of his control, and sects like the Body Sect transcending worldly affairs.
He rubbed his temples.
"I will urge the frontlines to end the war as soon as possible."
"Go negotiate with the Star Luo Royal Family. If they continue to resist stubbornly, just eliminate the Star Luo Royal Family," Su Ming said.
He couldn't be bothered to make another trip to the Star Luo Royal Family himself.
After Su Ming left, Xu Tianran looked at Kong Deming, puzzled.
"If he has proposed launching this war, our refusal is useless," Kong Deming said calmly.
He listed many reasons, each leaving Xu Tianran unable to refute.
"Furthermore, this war may not be without benefits for consolidating Sun Moon imperial authority. The structure of four empires is deeply ingrained in people's hearts. Even after we conquer the territories, disseminate spirit tools, apply them to civilian life, and boost local economic development, there is ultimately a psychological barrier."
At this point, Kong Deming didn't continue.
Xu Tianran understood his meaning.
Use an external enemy to remove this psychological barrier.
Kong Deming looked at the contemplative Xu Tianran and sighed inwardly.
"Lastly, there's his stated goal of advancing the Spirit Master world. We cannot fall behind. To achieve that, we must be at the forefront."
In every revolution, those who lag behind are eliminated.
The reason the three Douluo nations were destroyed was that they fell too far behind Sun Moon in spirit tool technology!
The three empires did have the intention to develop spirit tools, but Shrek Academy, representing the Spirit Master world within the three empires, openly supported pure Spirit Master ideals, directly preventing the entire Spirit Master world of the three Douluo nations from changing course.
That was failing to keep up with the spirit tool revolution.
Xu Tianran fell silent again.
Mingde Hall had kept up with the Battle Armor revolution, but the Sun Moon Royal Family hadn't benefited much from it.
However, looking at it from another angle, the Royal Family needed to participate even more in this current revolution.
He sighed. "You still see things more clearly."
Although resigned, he still intended to make his own struggles.
Today's conversation had been too uncomfortable.
Facing Su Ming, he, the emperor, had to be humble and consider the other's thoughts.
He needed to struggle a bit more.
"Shrek Academy... it's time to bring them under control as well."
This was the only possibility Xu Tianran could think of to counter the Body Sect behind Su Ming, and it was a plan he had been secretly working on lately.
After leaving the Sun Moon Empire, Su Ming headed straight for the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Di Tian!"
He went directly to the Life Lake, calling out Di Tian's name.
The waters of the Life Lake churned. Di Tian's true form flew out, coiling and rising.
A massive black dragon with only its eyes gleaming bright gold circled in the sky before transforming into a black-robed man.
"What is it?"
Di Tian looked at Su Ming, feeling a hidden sense of caution.
Although Su Ming's spirit power rank wasn't high, the pressure inadvertently emanating from his spirit power was heart-palpitating.
"I have a proposal for cooperation here. See if your Spirit Beast race is interested."
"Cooperation?" Di Tian was puzzled.
"I have located a plane. I want to establish a spatial channel with it, open a planar war, and devour it."
The information Su Ming disclosed made Di Tian's heart tremble.
"How much do you know about that plane?"
"Abyss."
Su Ming calmly uttered the two words.
He hadn't revealed this information at Mingde Hall or with the Sun Moon Royal Family—hey hadn't asked.
But Di Tian here possessed intelligence that indeed surpassed what the current Spirit Master world knew.
***
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(Chapter End)